Ronald C. Zehr

December 10, 2011 

WEST CARTHAGE, N.Y.  —  Ronald C. Zehr, 90, of 25 N. Main St., died Saturday, Dec. 10, at Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville, where he has resided in the nursing home since August 2010.

Born Aug. 21, 1921, in Croghan the son of the late James and Alice Kieffer Zehr, he gradated from Fr. Leo Memorial School. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II from July of 1942 to October of 1945, mainly in the South Pacific. 

He worked at the family’s gas station and also operated a restaurant in Croghan. 

He married the former Barbara J. Burke on Nov. 8, 1947, at St. Stephen’s Church in Croghan with the Rev. Amadeus Burke officiating. The couple moved to Carthage in 1953 where Ron was a millright for 35 years with the former Crown Zellerbach Corp. and  James River Corp. in Carthage. Mrs. Zehr died Nov. 14, 1994.

Ron was a member of St. James Catholic Church and a former member of Carlowden Country Club. 

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling.

Surviving are two daughters: Rhonda Zehr and her companion, Ronald O’Dett, Deer River, and Cynthia Davide and her husband, Anthony, Rochester; two sons and their wives, James and Marguerite Zehr, Watertown, and Robert and Eleanor Zehr, Dexter; 13 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; a sister, Vanetha Houppert, Croghan; and several nieces and nephews.  

Three brothers, Sherman, Guy and Willard and two sisters, Helen Coakley and Margaret Thomas, all died before him. 

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at St. James Church with the Rev. George F. Maroun, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stephens Cemetery, Croghan.  

Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Heritage Fund of St. James Church or the Carthage Area Rescue Squad. 

Information provided by Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.